Deck 45: Oral Care of Persons With Cancer

Question 1

The choice of cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer. All of the following are accepted cancer treatments except:

A) chemotherapy.
B) immunotherapy.
C) nutrition therapy.
D) radiation therapy.

Answer 1

nutrition therapy.

Question 2

Behavioral factors that could lead to the development of cancer include conditions related to being overweight or obese, poor nutrition, and inactivity. Many of these risk factors could be minimized through behavior change, as well as the use of vaccines and antibiotics.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true, and the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

Answer 2

Both statements are true.

Question 3

Clients who develop demineralization following radiation therapy to the salivary glands despite compliance with daily fluoride applications should:

A) have all teeth removed to prevent bone infection and subsequent necrosis.
B) continue daily fluoride and see the dental hygienist for prophylaxis every 4 weeks.
C) begin a 2-week chlorhexidine regimen and apply daily a remineralizing gel in custom trays.
D) use a fluoride rinse in addition to fluoride gel applications.

Answer 3

begin a 2-week chlorhexidine regimen and apply daily a remineralizing gel in custom trays.

Question 4

Which of the following is not an early sign of oral squamous cell carcinoma?

A) Unrelenting pain
B) Nonhealing ulcer
C) Lump or mass
D) White or red patch

Question 5

Individuals with the highest risk for developing cancer therapy-induced oral complications are those who undergo:

A) mildly immunosuppressive chemotherapy.
B) single-agent chemotherapy.
C) excisional biopsy for early-stage cancer.
D) radiation therapy for the head and neck.

Question 6

All of the following are considered to be a palliative measure for radiation-induced xerostomia except:

A) chlorhexidine rinse (0.12%).
B) saliva substitute.
C) humidified room air.
D) salivary gland stimulant.

Question 7

The incidence rate of oral cancer has increased since 1980. Oral cancer screening remains a very important component of dental hygiene care.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true, and the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

Question 8

Before scaling/root planing or oral surgery, a client's absolute neutrophil count should be equal to or greater than 1000/mm³. The platelet count should be equal to or greater than 50,000/mm³.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true, and the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

Question 9

Dietary recommendations for patients with salivary gland dysfunction include less frequent eating/drinking of:

A) high-carbohydrate snacks.
B) diet sodas.
C) caffeinated beverages.
D) all of the above.

Question 10

Bisphosphonates are a class of medications used by oncologists to help reduce extreme pain and potential for bone fractures because of the spread of cancer to the bones. Which of the following best describes the action of bisphosphonates on bone?

A) Inhibits osteoblasts
B) Increases bone turnover
C) Decreases bone density
D) Suppresses bone turnover

Question 11

Mucositis may be prevented or lessened in severity by which of the following dental hygiene interventions?

A) Create a clean and well-hydrated oral environment
B) Encourage good nutritional status
C) Control secondary infection
D) All of the above

Question 12

Salivary gland function returns to normal following radiation therapy to the head and neck. Individuals may stop daily applications of fluoride to the teeth when they perceive that the saliva has returned following radiation therapy.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true, and the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

Question 13

During cancer treatment, which of the following is not a complication of chemotherapy?

A) Bleeding
B) Mucositis
C) Osteoradionecrosis
D) Infection

Question 14

Which of the following statements best describes a benign tumor?

A) A mass of cells that invade surrounding healthy tissue
B) A mass of cells that grows quickly and can spread to distant sites
C) A mass of cells with irregular borders or color
D) A mass of cells that is encapsulated and grows slowly

Question 15

Individuals who practice good oral hygiene and home care reduce the risk and severity of oral complications associated with cancer therapy. Precancer therapy dental evaluation, medically necessary dental treatment, and good oral hygiene can prevent all oral complications.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true, and the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

Question 16

The following are risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma except:

A) denture irritation.
B) tobacco.
C) alcohol.
D) old age.

Question 17

All of the following contribute to the breakdown of teeth following radiation therapy to the head and neck except:

A) direct effects of radiation therapy on the enamel.
B) lack of minerals available from the saliva resulting in decreased remineralization.
C) increased acidity of the mouth.
D) poor oral hygiene.

Question 18

The appropriate daily fluoride preparation for prevention of radiation caries is:

A) 1.1% neutral-pH sodium fluoride gel.
B) 0.05% fluoride rinse.
C) 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride.
D) fluoride varnish.

Question 19

What plaque-removal method is the best choice for a client who is experiencing painful chemotherapy-induced mucositis and large ulcers on the buccal mucosa?

A) Battery-powered toothbrush with small bristle head
B) Alcohol-based mouthwash
C) Saltwater rinse
D) Gauze or foam brush dipped in baking soda-saline solution

Question 20

Which of the following is not a risk factor for the development of soft-tissue necrosis/ osteoradionecrosis in an area of irradiated bone?

A) Periodontal infection
B) Denture irritation/ulcer
C) Surgical insult
D) Dental prophylaxis

Question 21

Bisphosphonates alter or inhibit the ability of specific cells to resorb leading to suppression of bone turnover. What is the name of the cell responsible for bone resorption?

A) Osteoblast
B) Osteblastoma
C) Osteoclast
D) Osteoclastoma

Question 22

Alteration of taste occurs because of which of the following cancer therapies?

A) Chemotherapy
B) Radiation therapy
C) Hormone therapy
D) Blood stem cell transplantation therapy

Question 23

All of the following are considered to be a measure to manage for radiation-induced mucositis except:

A) prescribed local anesthetics.
B) phenol-based mouth rinses.
C) baking soda and salt-based mouth rinse.
D) over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed systemic analgesics.

Question 24

Xerostomia because of thickened, reduced, or absent salivary flow compromises speaking, chewing, and swallowing. Because damaged salivary glands from radiation are not permanently damaged; these conditions are temporary.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true, and the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

Question 25

Between 2004 and 2008, the incidence rate for oral cancer decreased in women and stabilized for men. Unfortunately, cancers of the lip, associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV), have seen an increase in recent years.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true, and the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false, and the second statement is true.

Question 26

The administration of bisphosphonates as an adjunct treatment of metastasized cancer can lead to which of the following oral lesions?

A) Osteonecrosis
B) Osteoradionecrosis
C) Osteochemonecrosis
D) Osteoimmunonecrosis

Question 27

Which of the following is not a possible cause of cancer as stated by the American Cancer Society?

A) Fluoride in the water
B) Cigarette smoking
C) Human papillomavirus
D) Poor nutrition and inactivity

Question 28

Which of the following oral infections is not caused by a decrease in immune response (immunosuppression) because of chemotherapy?

A) Dysphagial infection
B) Fungal infection
C) Viral infection
D) Bacterial infection

Question 29

During cancer therapy, dental hygiene education should focus on:

A) the immediate and impending oral complications of the cancer therapy.
B) the dental treatment and oral hygiene debridement needed during cancer therapy.
C) the dental examination and treatment planning for any necessary dental care.
D) why all dental hygiene education should be delayed until cancer treatment is completed.

Question 30

Infection because of a decreased immune response is common in clients receiving chemotherapy. This lowered immune response is the result of:

A) neurotoxicity.
B) myelosuppression.
C) thrombocytopenia.
D) telangiectasia.